Total elbow arthroplasty.

In the eight-year experience at the authors' institution (1974-1981) with an unlinked resurfacing elbow prosthesis, one failure occurred due to loosening of an ulnar component (1 of 153; 0.6%). The authors concluded that loosening of the prosthetic components in bone is not a serious problem, but other problems remain. Postoperative dislocation continued after a lateral approach was adopted but improved with the use of components of variable sizes. Ulnar nerve palsies are an unsolved problem and require special investigation in the rheumatoid patient. Other soft tissue problems have been relieved by the more physiologic lateral approach. Indications have been expanded to include posttraumatic or osteoarthritic conditions in relatively inactive elderly patients.